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Elk Update #49July 19, 2012

After several years of high reproduction and survival, the GRSM elk herd has had a below average year. Known adult elk mortality has averaged about 4 animals per year since the beginning of the project with slight increases as the herd continued to grow. As of July there have already been 8 documented adult elk mortalities in and around GRSM. The mortalities have consisted of 5 males and 3 females of the following causes:

3 vehicle collisions resulting in euthanasia because of injuries

1 from brainworm, a parasitic worm found the Southeast

1 euthanasia due to severe infection from a weakened immune system

3 illegally killed just outside of Park boundaries

The GRSM elk herd is still small and its future growth is variable depending on recruitment and survival rates across time. This year’s survival data will be added to the data from the previous 10 years and the population models will be reanalyzed. The current elk population in western North Carolina is believed to be approximately 140 animals, counting those elk both inside and outside of National Park boundaries.

In February of 2011 a large bull elk was illegally killed near Harmon Den, outside of GRSM boundaries. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the case in cooperation with GRSM staff. Three individuals have recently been charged with illegal possession of this elk’s antlers but there have been no poaching charges to date. Elk are classified as a species of special concern in North Carolina, so killing elk or acquiring any part of an elk is illegal in the state.

The case of three elk that were illegally shot and killed this year on private property is still under investigation and is being handled by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in cooperation with GRSM staff. The poaching occurred on May 17 in the Mount Sterling area near Waterville, and nothing was removed from the animals. These elk consisted of one young male and two adult females, one of which was pregnant. Recently, the NC Wildlife Federation has offered a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible.

Elk calving season is almost over and to date there has been 14 known calves born within GRSM, 13 of which are still alive. While survival is high for the calves born this year, the number of calves born is lower than previous years due to several females moving into old age and multiple younger animals not producing calves. Of the surviving calves that were handled, 5 are female, 3 are male, and the sex of the other 6 has yet to be determined by Park staff. This does not account for calves that may have been born to elk that reside on public and private lands outside of GRSM.

In early 2001 the first elk set foot into Great Smoky Mountains National Park
since the turn of the nineteenth century. This was the beginning of an experiment
to see if an elk herd could sustain itself in the area after about a 200-year
absence. Ten years later the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding
land is home to approximately 140 elk, and the answer to that original question
seems to be, yes, the elk can once again call this part of the Appalachians
home.
It’s been a long journey for the elk to return to the Smokies, and the
National Park, and its partners, have learned a lot about the North Carolina
elk herd since their initial releases in 2001 and 2002. The first 8 years of
the project was an experimental phase in which many aspects of their release
into the Park were studied including home ranges, birth and survival rates,
physiological measurements, possible impacts to Park resources, and projections
for future herd sustainability were calculated, including others.
In the last ten years we’ve learned that, up to this point, the majority
of elk have stayed close to where they were released and those that were born
here tend to stay close to where they were born. There have been several animals
that have left the immediate area and traveled through the region, but most
NC elk have a fairly small home range. They are reproducing well and tend to
have large, healthy calves that grow into adults with good body conditions and
large antlers, all of which can be seen as an indication that they have high-quality
habitat to feed and live in.
The elk that were originally released into the Park had never dealt with black
bears as predators and as a result many of the calves born here were killed
by black bears in the first few years. Over time, however, the elk seem to have
learned to deal with bears and to hide and defend their newborns against them
as survival rates for calves has increased over the years.
We’ve also learned that after ten years there are still a lot of people
who are excited about having elk in the Great Smoky Mountains. After the elk
were released into Cataloochee, visitation there doubled and has remained almost
double ever since. Throughout the summer, and especially in the fall, throngs
of visitors flock to Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee to picnic and enjoy
the Park, and keep their cameras ready for when the elk come out of the woods
and into the fields where they are most commonly seen.
One final thing we’ve learned about the Smoky Mountain elk herd is that
we still have a lot to learn. The elk project is no longer framed as an experiment,
but is transitioning into what is being considered a reintroduction. This doesn’t
mean that the research is over though. The Park is in the process of finalizing
a new environmental assessment and management plan, which includes strategies
for monitoring possible future impacts to the elk as well as Park resources
across the long term. As the dynamics of the Smoky Mountain elk herd change,
the ongoing research and management will adapt and change with it to give Park
researchers information about how the elk herd is fairing in its return home.

Smoky Mountain Elk Herd News

Since last update there have been a few changes within the elk herd. There
have been seven elk mortalities since the last update was released. Four of
those were in the Oconaluftee/Cherokee area and three were in Cataloochee. Near
Oconaluftee a 1.5 year old bull was struck by a vehicle last October on Rte
441 and another in May along Big Cove Rd. Both bulls were euthanized as a result
of their injuries. Last fall bull #106 died in a densely forested patch of land
along Acquoni Rd. This animal was weak from a previous infection when it became
entangled in grape vines and other vegetation. It was unable to free itself
and likely died from exhaustion/asphyxiation. Ten-year old cow #39, known locally
for being the elk that lived near the Casino, died of unknown causes in May.
In the Cataloochee area cow #49 died of unknown causes, though at 12 years old
her age likely played a role, and cow #60 died of stress-related injuries in
November.
Near Harmon Den, in an area known as Twelvemile, bull #16 was killed illegally
and the head and antlers were removed. #16 was one of the original 25 elk released
back into the Park in 2001 from Land Between the Lakes, KY. He was a 6 x 7 bull
in 2010 that spent most of the year in or around the Twelvemile area only returning
to Cataloochee to breed during the fall rut. He was a dominant bull for the
past 5-6 years and undoubtedly contributed to calf production within the Cataloochee
elk group. The case is still under investigation and anyone with information
about the incident is encouraged to call the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission toll free wildlife violations number at 1-800-662-7137.
In positive news the 2011 calving season is almost over and it has been another
good year for herd recruitment. There have been 19 calves born so far this year
that have been accounted for, 16 of which have survived. The causes of death
for the three that died are unknown. Of the 16 surviving calves, at least 8
are female, 4 are male, and the sex of the other 4 has not yet been determined.
There are still a few females that may have produced calves this year that have
not been seen since calving season started, so there may be even more calves
recruited into the Smoky Mountain elk herd in 2011!
This is a great time to come and see the newborn calves travelling with their
mothers. If you come to see the elk in Cataloochee or Oconaluftee, please remember
the following to help you enjoy your visit and keep you and the elk safe.
• Bring binoculars and zoom lenses. This allows for great viewing and
photos from a safe distance.
• Be very mindful of your food scraps and please clean up after yourself.
This helps eliminate the chances of an elk becoming conditioned to human food,
which usually leads to the demise of the animal.
• Stay in or near your vehicle when the elk are out, and please pull off
the road where it is safe to do so to allow traffic to continue around you.
• Be patient! This allows everyone to have a better experience of the
Smoky Mountains, at a Smoky Mountain pace!

When the first elk were released into Cataloochee Valley in 2001, the project
was considered an experiment that would last 5 years, during which time researchers
would gather and analyze the data necessary to make long-term projections about
the herd’s success or failure in the Smoky Mountains. When the data was
analyzed at the end of those 5 years there was an incredible amount of information
that was learned about the herd, including home ranges, dietary composition,
survival and reproductive rates, what impacts they were having on Park resources,
and much more.
However, since the Park only received 2 groups of elk to release rather than
the recommended 3 groups, the herd remained small and showed slow growth over
those years. This also meant that the data analysis was very susceptible to
slight changes in the herd. One way to increase the confidence and accuracy
of the analysis was to extend the experimental phase an additional 3 years.
This allowed for continued monitoring and research, with a new analysis of the
herd’s long-term viability at the end of that experimental extension phase,
which took place during 2009. This analysis showed a favorable projection for
the elk herd’s potential future growth in and around the Park.
With all of the previous research and management activities in mind, the Park
is shifting its focus on the herd from an experimental phase to a long-term
management strategy. As part of this planning, the Park has prepared a new Environmental
Assessment and Management Plan that outlines the elk project, as well as presents
several alternatives for future elk management. One alternative is to continue
the intensive research and monitoring that has taken place since the beginning
of the project. The second, and the park’s preferred alternative of Adaptive
Management, allows for a more selective and adaptive research and management
approach that will be less invasive for the herd along with allowing Park staff
to better address possible impacts in the future..
The Environmental Assessment and Management Plan are available for public review
and comment for a 30-day period. If you would like to review the plans and provide
comment to the Park, the information can be found online at:

All comments should be received by the Park no later than September 27, 2010
for consideration. Please be aware that the comments provided, as well as personally
identifying information related to the comments may be made publicly available.

Smoky Mountain Elk Herd News

There has been a lot of activity around the elk herd since last update. In
November 2009 Bull #21 was shot by a poacher in Cataloochee Valley. This bull
was relocated to the Park from Land Between the Lakes and was one of the very
first elk released into Cataloochee Valley in 2001. Number 21 was a highly visible
bull that would often be seen near the Ranger Station or Palmer House in Cataloochee
and provided a lot of bugling and fighting that crowds could witness during
the fall rut. In July the poacher pled guilty to unlawfully shooting the elk
and was sentenced to 150 days imprisonment and fined $8,384 in restitution costs.
His rifle was also seized, which was autographed by Richard Petty, he lost his
hunting license for two years, and has been banned from the Great Smoky Mountains
and all other National Parks for two years.
On a lighter note, there has only been one documented mortality of an adult
elk in 2010 so far! The animal that died was Cow #93, a 4-year old female that
had a history of health problems and had a physical anomaly that would have
prevented her from ever reproducing and having a calf. Her health would fluctuate
throughout the year and in March she was found dead near the Rough Fork Trailhead
in Cataloochee. While losing animals can be hard for such a small herd, this
was the only elk lost so this year far which makes 2010 the best year for adult
elk survival since the start of the program!
Another extremely positive sign for the program has been the success of calving
season this year. To date, 25 calves are confirmed to have been born this year.
Park personnel are able to track the fates of 17 of those calves, and so far
all 17 have survived! Having that many calves and a survival rate of 100% makes
2010 the best year for herd recruitment so far! This is also a very good indication
that adult females have learned how to hide and defend their calves better against
predators. Of the 17 trackable calves, at least 7 are female, 4 are male, and
the sex of the others has yet to be determined.
While the rut probably won’t be in full swing for another couple of weeks,
things are starting to pick up around Cataloochee. The bulls in Cataloochee
have all lost their velvet and several have begun to bugle and pursue cows.
The bulls that have been dominant for the past three years, #’s 3, 16,
and 67, have all returned to Cataloochee and have been bugling and raking trees
most afternoons.
If you come to the Smoky Mountains to view elk this fall, please remember a
few things to help make your visit a more enjoyable and safe one.
• Bring binoculars and zoom lenses. This allows for great viewing and
photos from a safe distance.
• Be very mindful of your food scraps and please clean up after yourself.
This helps eliminate the chances of an elk becoming conditioned to human food,
which usually leads to the demise of the animal.
• Stay in or near your vehicle when the elk are out, and please pull off
to the side of the road to allow traffic to continue around you.
• Be patient! This allows everyone to have a better experience of Cataloochee,
at a Cataloochee pace!

Millions of visitors travel to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every
year for a multitude of reasons. In the Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee areas,
thousands of visitors come each year with hopes of viewing wildlife, particularly
the largest mammal in the Park; elk. While many visitors may not realize it,
their actions while they are in elk habitat have a direct effect on the safety
and well being of not only themselves and other visitors, but also the elk.
When humans are in close proximity to elk, there is potential for elk-human
conflicts that could result in serious injury to humans or contribute to the
demise of an elk. While there is potential for conflict throughout the year,
the greatest threats exists in the spring when cows give birth and fiercely
defend their young and during the fall breeding season when bull elk are defending
their harem. There are a few simple things that visitors can do to help improve
the quality of their wildlife viewing while maintaining a safe and healthy balance
with the elk.

• Bring binoculars or zoom lenses. Approaching wildlife within 50 yards
or any distance that disturbs them is illegal and dangerous. Even seemingly
calm elk can be very unpredictable and defend themselves or their young if they
perceive a threat. Binoculars and zoom lenses can help you view the elk and
get great pictures without disturbing them.

• Be very mindful of your food and clean up after yourself. Not only
is feeding wildlife illegal, but once an elk is accustomed to human food its
life span is typically significantly shorter for several reasons. Elk can quickly
become nuisance animals and pose serious threats to human safety. Human food
can also lead to rumen acidosis or other digestive problems that can kill elk.
Whether someone intentionally throws food to an elk or they forget to pick up
their peanut hulls or chicken skins when they picnic in elk country, they are
endangering the well being of all of the elk and other visitors alike.

• Stay in or close to your vehicle when elk are nearby. When you drive
the road in Cataloochee or Oconaluftee, the elk are never very far away. We
ask that visitors remain on the roadway when elk are in the fields. Viewing
elk near your vehicle can provide you with a safe place to retreat to should
one approach you. Also, please do not stop or park in the road. Rather, pull
your vehicle off to the side of the road whenever possible to allow other traffic
to flow freely.

• Be patient. Whether you are trying to get that picture perfect elk
moment on film or just take a scenic drive through Cataloochee Valley patience
is the key to everyone enjoying their time here.

Smoky Mountain Elk Herd News

The 2009 calving season proved to be another successful year for the GSMNP elk
herd. There have been a total of 19 calves born this year, 16 of which have
survived which makes 2009 one of the best years yet for herd recruitment! While
the sex of several of the calves has yet to be determined, it appears that they
are split about evenly between male and female. Two of the calves that died
were killed by bears and the third was very underweight when it was born. No
bears were relocated as part of elk calving season this year, so it is very
encouraging to see survival rates so high this year.

Initially there were 52 elk released into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
With this year’s calving season included, there are currently about 110
elk in the GSMNP herd. There are 55 female elk, 45 male elk, and 8-10 whose
sex has not yet been determined (2009 calves). These elk are spread fairly evenly
across all age classes.

The fall rut is in full swing and there has been plenty of excitement around
the herd so far! The cows have been divided into several different harems and
there have been several different bulls seen with each harem. The most dominant
bulls in Cataloochee so far have been #s 16, 3, 67, and an unmarked bull from
the Cove Creek area. Bull #67 and the unmarked bull are the first bulls in Cataloochee
to have been born in GSMNP and become dominant. The dominant bull in the Oconaluftee
area is #74, also born in GSMNP. All of the bulls this year have very impressive
antlers, which can be seen as a sign that there is high quality forage available
for the elk.

With the leaves changing colors this is an excellent time to visit Cataloochee
to view the elk and it seems that more people are making the trip daily. If
you make the trip into the Valley, please remember to pull your vehicle off
of the road when viewing wildlife, as it is becoming increasingly busy and traffic
can congest quickly on the narrow road. Also, please remember that the elk are
at an especially agitated state right now with the pressures of the mating season,
and they can become aggressive suddenly. Remain in/near your vehicle at all
times in the presence of elk and do not approach them! Have a great fall!

When a cow elk enters her second autumn she is capable of breeding, but it is more common for cows to breed in their third year. Though elk are capable of producing twins, typically a single calf will be born per cow after a gestation period of about 8 ½ months with the most rapid development during the last 6 weeks. Expectant cows will usually isolate themselves from the herd just prior to giving birth and choose an area with thick vegetation to hide their calves in. In the Smokies, they are most often born between late May and early July and weigh between 25 and 40 lbs. Newborn calves are capable of walking from birth, but they cannot travel very far and their natural defense for the first few weeks of life is to lie perfectly still close to the ground in dense vegetation. They do not produce much scent for the first few weeks of life, so this behavior allows their spotted coats to camouflage them and escape detection by predators. Cow elk will leave their young for most of the day, only joining it to feed a couple of times each day. The calf processes milk through the reticular groove, a channel that allows highly nutritious food to bypass the animal’s rumen for faster absorption. This groove will diminish after the calf is weaned, which usually happens by early fall.
A calf’s best defense is to grow big and strong enough to travel in the safety of the herd, and this doesn’t take them long. Calves can gain up to two pounds of weight a day and after about 2 weeks the calf will be strong enough to travel with its mother and rejoin the herd. By November, the beginning of their first winter, a 5-month old calf can weigh up to 5 times what it did at birth!!

Smoky Mountain Elk Herd News

As 2008 came to an end, and we work through 2009, several changes have taken place in the Smoky Mountain elk herd. The experimental phase of the project came to an end in December 2008 and all of the data has been summarized and presented to Park officials. Park managers are now in the process of considering all of their options for the future of the herd and should reach a decision sometime in 2009.

Unfortunately, their have been a few adult mortalities since last update. Two-year old bull #98 died in Cataloochee in December 2008 of unknown causes. Other mortalities include yearling bulls #121 and #134 that died in February and May, respectively, and adult bull #68 in January.

The most recent mortality was bull #4. This was a highly visible bull that
was easily recognized in Cataloochee Valley by his abnormally shaped antlers that
were shorter than most antlers and had a paddle-shaped formation at the top.
For several months this bull appeared to have been losing weight and over the
past week his condition worsened very rapidly until he was unable to walk normally
and had difficulty standing. Park managers consulted with a veterinarian and the
decision was made to euthanize bull #4 because he would not recover from this
poor of a condition.

The brighter side of 2009 so far is that calving season has begun and there
could be more calves born this year than any year so far! There are several
cows that could be producing their first calf, and with female survival very
high over the last year things look optimistic for herd recruitment this year.
Seven calves are known to have been born so far and at least two of them are
female. Managers have not been able to handle the others yet to determine their
sex and many more calves are expected to be born over the next 4 or 5 weeks.

Spring is a great time to visit the Park and view the elk. The bulls’
antlers are in velvet and growing very rapidly this time of the year. It can
be interesting to watch their development over the course of the year until
fall when they shed their velvet and enter the rut. Some of the calves that
were born earlier are getting big enough to travel with their mothers and can
often be seen in the fields, along with turkey hens and their newborn chicks.
There have also been several sightings of bears feeding on wild strawberries
in the fields of Cataloochee over the last few weeks. With all of the exciting
things happening with wildlife right now, it is a great time to visit the Park
and enjoy the show!!

Elk Progress Report #44
December 8, 2008

Year in Review: 2008

When the first group of elk was released into the Smokies in 2001, it was designed
as a 5-year experimental project to assess the long-term viability of an elk
herd within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were several unforeseen
obstacles that lie ahead, and as a result the experimental phase of the project
was extended an additional 3 years so that an adequate amount of data could
be collected to make a more accurate prediction. That extension is set to end
at the end of this year, at which point all of the data will be reanalyzed and
the Park will make its decision regarding the future of the Smoky Mountain elk
herd. The herd currently consists of about 95 animals, quite an increase from
the 52 elk that were originally released in 2001-2002!

2008 Calving Season
This year's calving season was another big success in terms of survival for
the calves. A total of 19 calves have been confirmed to have been born this
year, the same number of calves born in 2007. 2008 has proven to be more successful
in terms of survival though, as 16 of those are thought to still be alive. While
this year was above average with a calf survival rate of 84%, the sex ratio
of the calves born was fairly poor. Of the 16 surviving calves this year, only
5 are female, 10 are male, and the sex of the last one is yet to be determined.
Ultimately, the number of breeding females in the herd will have the greatest
effect on their long-term success, so we would always like to see more females
being born. Among the mortalities, one calf appeared to have died from natural
causes, and the two others were never found. Among the cows that gave birth
was #99, who bred at just 1.5 years old. This is a rare occurrence but not unheard
of for first time breeders. She had a healthy female calf (#137) and both are
regularly seen throughout the fields of Cataloochee. Another interesting fact
about #99 is that she travelled out of Cataloochee Valley and up to Balsam Mountain
to give birth. The only other cow that does this each year is cow #15, her mother.

Predator Management
The National Park Service continued its predator management efforts that began
in 2006 in an effort to evaluate its impacts on newborn elk calf survival. Throughout
the peak of the calving season, late May through early July, bears were trapped
in and around Cataloochee Valley, radio collared, and relocated to the Twenty
Mile area located in the western portion of the Park in North Carolina. History
of bear management has shown that most nuisance Park bears relocated within
the Park return to the capture site. Using this knowledge it was believed that
by the time the relocated bears return to Cataloochee the young calves should
be mobile enough to travel safely with their mothers. Post-release movements
of the bears have been monitored and a portion of the bears have in fact been
returning. While it is disheartening to lose any of the newborn calves, some
mortality is expected and necessary, and considering the amount of predation
documented since elk were released, 2008 appears to be an above-average year
for calf survival.

Adult Mortalities
Unfortunately, there were a few adult mortalities in 2007 as well. A total of
5 adult elk were lost during the year. Cow #91, a 3 year-old, died in the Hurricane
Creek drainage in early February. Necropsy results came back inconclusive for
a cause of death. She had produced her first calf last year (#123, female) which
remains healthy and with the herd. Cow #47 died in March in Ela, NC. Again,
the exact cause of death is uncertain, but she was 14 years old at the time,
which is considered rather old for an elk. Yearling cow #117 was found dead
near the Masonic Marker on Balsam Mountain in June and was quite decomposed
and predated upon when she was found. Bull #66 was struck by a vehicle along
Big Cove Road in Cherokee and was euthanized as a result of his injuries. Finally,
yearling bull #109 was heard on mortality in Little Cataloochee on November
5. Necropsy results and disease tests have not been returned yet.

Elk Bugle Corps
In May, the second season of the Cataloochee Bugle Corps got underway and they
have only gained momentum over the last year. This group of volunteers dedicated
their time and energy to providing education and visitor assistance to elk-watchers
in Cataloochee Valley. In their second season, the 58 volunteers worked more
than 5,000 volunteer hours, contacting over 64,000 visitors from May through
November. This is the equivalent of having 6 additional full-time Rangers working
in Cataloochee! Their enthusiasm and service has generated a lot of positive
feedback surrounding the group and their hard work is greatly appreciated. The
group will again be serving from May through November of 2009. For information
on how to get involved with the Cataloochee Elk Bugle Corps, please email Mark
LaShell at:Mark_LaShell@nps.gov.

2009 Outlook
It looks like 2009 will be another exciting year around the Smoky Mountain elk
herd. In terms of calf production this spring, there are several young cows
that could give birth to their first calf, meaning that 2009 has potential to
be another record-setting year for herd recruitment! Bull elk tend to have the
most antler mass at around 10 years old, and there are quite a few bulls at
or around the 10-year old mark. This means that as long as there is adequate
food available there is a lot of potential for even more spectacular racks to
be seen next year. There are also a few rather aggressive younger bulls that
will be gaining weight and antler mass, so competition during the 2009 rut should
certainly be exciting!

Winter Elk Viewing Tip: Though early mornings and late afternoons
are still the most active for elk viewing, on the colder days of winter the
elk can often be seen in the fields all day long, particularly when it is overcast.
If you make the trip into Cataloochee this winter please drive cautiously as
the road is frequently icy, even when there is no snow.

Although it is considered uncommon for an animal to have antlers and canine
teeth at the same time, elk are one of the few that creatures that possess both.
These teeth are located on the upper jaw near the front of the mouth, just behind
the sharp incisors used for cutting grass. They erupt in an elk after about
one year of age and are not fully formed until the animal is between 2 and 3
years old. Many scientists believe that these teeth are the remnants of tusks
from the elk’s prehistoric ancestors. Other names for them include “ivories”,
“buglers’, and “whistlers”. These teeth are quite unique
in that they are considered to be ivory and have a rather rich history.
It is believed that these teeth have been seen in cultural use dating far enough
back in history to be considered among the first jewelry ever worn. Since each
animal only produces two of these teeth in its lifetime they were considered
quite valuable. They were used as a currency among some Native Americans for
many years. Other uses included jewelry and decorating ceremonial shirts worn
by both men and women. One ceremonial shirt or dress could be decorated with
as many as 400 of these teeth! Again, because of their rarity this was seen
as quite a status symbol among many tribal peoples.
In more recent times, biologists use the teeth to tell the approximate age of
an elk based on how much of the crown has erupted and how much wear it shows.
These teeth are also still used as personal adornment. They were very sought
after and used as part of a watch worn by members of the fraternal Elk’s
Club. Many pieces of jewelry are still made from these elk teeth and as the
only legal North American ivory there is considerable demand for it. Some companies
have even taken to producing fake “ivories” for use in jewelry.
The ivories from an adult bull elk will sell for around $15 per tooth.

Smoky Mountain Elk Herd News

Spring has arrived and with it has come several changes in the Smoky Mountain
elk herd. Unfortunately, late winter and early spring have taken their toll
on a few members of the herd. On Saturday, February 9, cow elk #91 was heard
on mortality and found dead in a drainage near the Rough Fork/Caldwell Fork
trails junction. The carcass was packed out and taken to University of Tennessee
for necropsy. Test results came back inconclusive and it is unknown why this
animal died. #91 was three years old and produced her first calf last year (#123,
female).

On Monday, March 17, cow elk #47 was heard on mortality and her remains located
on some private property in Ela, south of Cherokee. #47 remained almost exclusively
in this area, only travelling north to Oconaluftee and joining the elk there
briefly during the fall rut before returning to Ela. It is unknown why cow #47
died, though she was approximately 14 years old, which is considered quite old
for an elk.

All of the adult bulls have shed their 2007 antlers and new sets have started
growing already. At this stage the antlers are not much larger than a person’s
hand, and almost the same shape. Growing at a rate of up to an inch a day they
are among the fastest growing tissue in the world. A healthy set of antlers
also indicates that there is an adequate food supply available to the animals.
2007 produced the largest antlers ever seen in Cataloochee indicating that the
bulls are finding a lot of rich food and they are in good health. Hopefully
2008 will produce even more spectacular antlers!

The start of calving season is only a couple of weeks away and this should
be a monumental year for the Smoky Mountain herd. Many of the younger females
were old enough to breed last fall and we are expecting to have more calves
hitting the ground in 2008 than any other previous year. While it is not entirely
common for a female to breed the first year she is able, behavior last fall
suggests that we will have a few cows producing their first calf this year!

The Cataloochee Elk Bugle Corps is also getting ready for their second season
of service. This group of volunteers dedicates their time and energy to providing
education and visitor assistance to elk-watchers in Cataloochee Valley. The
program was a huge success in 2007 and should be even better in 2008! There
will be two upcoming training sessions in May for anyone wishing to help out
as a volunteer. If you are interested in working with this enthusiastic group
of people, or would like more information about them, please contact Mark LaShell
at: Mark_Lashell@nps.gov.

Year in Review: 2007
A new year has begun and the future of the Smoky Mountain elk herd looks brighter.
There were a lot of changes that took place within the herd during 2007 that
are worth taking another look at in review.

2007 Calving Season
This past calving season was a big one, as more calves were born in 2007 than
in any other year of the program. Part of the reason for this is that there
were a couple of young cows who had their first calf, including #91 who bred
when she was just 1.5 years old. This is a rare occurrence but not unheard of
for first time breeders. Number 91’s calf (#123) is a healthy looking
female born in July. Other first-time mothers include cow #80 and cow #64. There
were a total of 19 calves confirmed to have been born with 16 of those occurring
within Park boundaries (7 female, 7 male, 2 unknown). Of those 16 in the Park,
10 are thought to still be alive. Among the mortalities, evidence suggests that
3 were lost to bear predation, 1 was lost to coyote predation, 1 died from injuries
inflicted by a dog or coyote on Big Cove Rd., and 1 was hit by a car along Rt.
441. There are at least 5 surviving female calves being added to the population,
which makes 2007 our 2nd best year for recruitment!

Predator Management
The National Park Service continued its predator management efforts that began
in 2006 in an effort to evaluate its impacts on newborn elk calf survival. Throughout
the peak of the calving season, late May through early July, bears were trapped
in and around Cataloochee Valley, radio collared, and relocated to the Twenty
Mile area located in the western portion of the Park in North Carolina. History
of bear management has shown that most nuisance Park bears relocated within
the Park return to the capture site. Using this knowledge it was believed that
by the time the relocated bears return to Cataloochee the young calves should
be mobile enough to travel safely with their mothers. Post-release movements
of the bears have been monitored and a portion of the bears have in fact been
returning. One bear was trapped and relocated twice because he had returned
while trapping efforts were still in progress, making the 40-mile journey in
just 11 days. While it is disheartening to lose any of the newborn calves, some
mortality is expected and necessary, and considering the amount of predation
documented since elk were released, 2007 appears to be an above-average year
for calf survival.

Adult Mortalities
Unfortunately, there were a few adult mortalities in 2007 as well. In March
bull #82 was found dead in Nellie Drainage. His carcass was taken to the University
of Tennessee for necropsy and it was determined that he most likely died from
neck injuries sustained while fighting with another bull. Yearling bull #103
died while fighting another yearling bull in October at the Oconaluftee Visitor
Center. Also in October, bull #14 was found dead on private land in the Crooked
Branch area just outside of Cataloochee. His cause of death is unknown.

Elk Bugle Corps
In May, the inaugural season of the Cataloochee Bugle Corps got underway and
they quickly became a large success. This group of volunteers dedicated their
time and energy to providing education and visitor assistance to elk-watchers
in Cataloochee Valley. In their first season, the 45 new volunteers worked more
than 6,000 volunteer hours, contacting over 11,000 visitors from May through
November. Their enthusiasm and service has generated a lot of positive feedback
surrounding the group and their hard work is greatly appreciated. The group
will again be serving from May through November of 2008. For information on
how to get involved with the Cataloochee Elk Bugle Corps, please email Mark
LaShell at: Mark_LaShell@nps.gov.

2008 Outlook
It looks like 2008 will be another exciting year around the Smoky Mountain elk
herd. In terms of calf production this spring, there are several young cows
that could give birth to their first calf, meaning that 2008 has potential to
be another record-setting year for herd recruitment!
Bull elk tend to have the most antler mass at around 10 years old, and there
are quite a few bulls at or around the 10-year old mark. This means that as
long as there is adequate food available there is a lot of potential for even
more spectacular racks to be seen this year. There are also a few rather aggressive
younger bulls that will be gaining weight and antler mass, so competition during
the 2008 rut should certainly be exciting!
When elk were released into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 5 year experimental
phase was begun to determine the long term feasibility of an elk herd in the
Park. In 2006 that experimental phase was extended in hopes of gathering more
data over an additional 3 years. This phase of the project is set to end in
2008, at which point the data will be re-analyzed and decisions will be made
regarding the short and long-term management of the herd.

During the fall and winter of 2006 bull #81 left Cataloochee Valley and travelled
into Tennessee spending time in Cosby, Newport, and Greenbriar before being
darted in Walnut, a small community north of Weaverville, NC and returned to
Cataloochee. In November of 2007, #81 again made his way into Tennessee spending
time on multiple properties in the Cosby area. The Park received several reports
of the bull on private properties where the owners were concerned for their
safety as well as the bull’s. Working with TWRA, the Park made the decision
to dart and return the bull to Cataloochee Valley. On Sunday, January 20, #81
was darted on private property along route 321 and released back into Cataloochee
where he has remained since.

Winter Elk Viewing Tip: Though early mornings and late afternoons are still
the most active for elk viewing, on the colder days of winter the elk can often
be seen in the fields all day long, particularly when it is overcast. If you
make the trip into Cataloochee this winter please drive cautiously as the road
is frequently icy, even when there is no snow.

Beginning in May, the first Elk Bugle Corps began it’s duties within
Cataloochee Valley. These volunteers have dedicated their time to assisting
and educating visitors about the Great Smoky Mountain elk herd. They patrol
the Valley weekday afternoons and all day on weekends answering questions and
giving informal “elk talks” to interested and curious visitors.
The volunteers carry an “Elk Education Trunk” that was donated to
the Park from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The Trunk has elk antlers,
animal skins, skulls, scat and other tools that allow visitors a hands-on approach
to learning more about elk and other wildlife. This enthusiastic group has been
a great help in improving visitor education with regards to the elk. They also
assist in ensuring that visitors stay a safe distance from elk, bears, deer
and other wildlife. To date, they have contacted over 11,000 visitors and worked
over 1,000 volunteer hours. For more information on how you can serve as a Bugle
Corps volunteer, contact Mark LaShell by email at: Mark_LaShell@nps.gov

2007 Newborn Elk Calves
The 2007 calving season is almost over and it has been another good year. We
have been able to confirm the birth of 17 calves so far: 6 female, 6 male, 5
yet to be determined. Of those born, 12 are still alive and appear to be doing
quite well. Of the 5 that died, bear predation is suspected in 3 of the calves,
1 died from injuries inflicted by a dog or coyote along Big Cove Road, and 1
was struck by a vehicle along Hwy. 441, north of the Oconaluftee Visitor’s
Center. Three were male, one was female, and the sex of one calf was unknown.

2007 Predator Management
The National Park Service continued its predator management efforts that began
in 2006 in an effort to evaluate its impacts on newborn elk calf survival. Throughout
the peak of the calving season, late May through early July, bears were trapped
in and around Cataloochee Valley, radio collared, and relocated to the Twenty
Mile area located in the western portion of the Park in North Carolina. History
of bear management has shown that most nuisance Park bears relocated within
the Park return to the capture site. Using this knowledge it was believed that
by the time the relocated bears return to Cataloochee the young calves should
be mobile enough to travel safely with their mothers. Several of the bears relocated
this year have already returned, making the 40-mile journey in as little as
11 days. While it is disheartening to lose any of the newborn calves, some mortality
is expected, and considering the amount of predation documented since elk were
released, 2007 appears to be an above-average year for calf survival. What happened
in 2006 when predator management began? Thirteen calves were born, 11 of which
survived. This is good news considering the survival of newborn elk calves jumped
from approximately 30% in 2005 to approximately 85% in 2006 and about 70% in
2007.

Herd Status
The current number of adult elk in the Smokies elk herd is approximately 75
animals. While the herd showed a slow growth rate for the first several years,
due mainly to parasites and bear predation on calves, increased recruitment
has brought the total number of animals up to at least 75 adults (1 year of
ago and older), in addition to the newborn elk calves born in 2007. In response,
the sex ratio of the herd has also turned slightly in favor of the females with
an average of 1.3 females: 1 male. Great news!

Antlers, Antlers, Antlers!
The big bulls in the Smokies elk herd have grown large impressive antlers in
2007, larger than 2006. The largest “rack” among them belongs to
bull #17 who has 9 points on each side. There are several 7x7’s, a 7x8,
and a few large 6x6’s in the herd as well. Bulls #16 and #3, who were
the herd bulls in 2006, have not been seen since antler growth has completed.
With the days beginning to shorten, the bulls’ testosterone levels are
rising and they are beginning to shed their velvet in preparation for the fall
rut breeding season. Competition for the female cows should be fierce this year.
Don’t miss the show!

Spring is upon us and with the days beginning to lengthen, signs of the season
can be seen within the elk of Cataloochee as well. For the Smoky Mountain herd,
March is the beginning, and also the end of the yearly antler cycle. Testosterone
is the chemical in elk that controls the development of antlers each year. During
the spring an elk’s testosterone levels drop, which causes the bond between
the antler and the pedicle to weaken, and the antlers fall off. Usually both
drop within a 24-hour period. As the days begin to lengthen, testosterone levels
in the bulls’ blood increases, signaling the onset of new antler growth.
Antlers begin growing as soon as the previous year’s set has fallen off.
Antlers can grow as much as an inch a day during the spring and summer months
and are considered one of the fastest growing tissues in the world. During this
development, they are covered in a soft layer of velvet that functions very
much like skin. The antlers are living tissue, and this velvet contains veins
and capillaries that carry blood and minerals to the developing bones. While
still in velvet, an elk’s antlers are light and somewhat malleable. They
continue this rapid growth for about four months until they reach full size.
Sometime around August, a bull’s antlers will fully mineralize and the
new hardened bone will emerge. As the antler hardens, blood flow to them is
halted and as a result, the velvet begins to fall off. This velvet will be shed
over a 24-hour period, usually rubbed off against trees, and the newly emerging
antlers will appear bloody for a few days afterward. These new bones, which
can weigh up to 40 pounds, are made up of calcium, phosphorous, and up to 50%
water.
As a bull ages, his antlers will continue to grow larger each year provided
that he is in good health and there is an abundance of nutrient-rich food. Larger
racks are typically a sign of mature bulls in good health, and signal to the
cows that they are a worthy mate. While the antlers are developing, a bull does
little besides eat to ensure that he has enough nutrients to grow a large, uniform
rack capable of defending himself and competing for the right to breed when
the rut begins. Bull elk will carry these antlers and spar throughout much of
the fall and winter until March rolls around and the process begins all over
again.

In February we were contacted by a landowner in the Suttontown area that a small
group of bulls were causing some concern to area residents. Over the past few
years we have received reports of elk being fed in an area not too far from
where these elk were using. As a result it appears that a couple of elk may
have lost some of their fear of people and now feel comfortable to approach
them closer than is normal for wild animals. To minimize any additional concern
and/or conflict it was decided to capture and relocate the animal(s) that were
the primary root of the problem. On February 26, bull #66, which had a broken
antler on his left side was captured and relocated to the Oconaluftee area where
he has remained with that group of elk since.

While attempting to dart another of the Suttontown bulls, several uncollared
cows were seen traveling with Bull #68 in the Cove Creek area. Most of these
females were previously unaccounted for, and as many as five new adult females
are now included in the Smoky Mountain population. Efforts are still in progress
to monitor any elk using the Suttontown/Cove Creek area and, if possible, assist
land owners with any concerns.

On Tuesday, March 6, Bull #82’s collar was heard on mortality and his
carcass was found in a drainage east of Nellie Ridge in Cataloochee Valley.
He was a 3-year old bull born to Cow #24 in Cataloochee Valley in spring of
2004. The carcass was taken to the University of Tennessee where a necropsy
will be performed for disease testing and possible cause of death.

The elk that travel through Cataloochee Valley had been moving around in the
woods very frequently over the past month and had only occasionally been coming
into the fields to feed. They seem to be returning to a normal, somewhat predictable
pattern and can once again be seen most mornings and evenings feeding in the
fields. A few of the bulls have already shed their antlers for the season, but
most still have their racks and are traveling in two large groups. It is illegal
to remove shed antlers from the Park, as they are an important source of calcium
for smaller animals. If you find one, please leave it where it is.

Feature Topic: Bull #81
Sex: Male
Age: 2 years, 6 months
History: Born in Cataloochee Valley on June 18, 2004 to cow #49.
Noteworthy Behavior: Bull #81, a 2.5 year old Cataloochee native, had spent
most of his life within Cataloochee Valley until July of this year, when he
moved to the Big Creek area of the Park. He remained there until the end of
August when he came back to the Valley as the elk were beginning to come into
the rut. He began sparring with the more dominant bulls and after about 2 weeks
again left the Valley. He passed through the Big Creek area and kept going to
within Newport city limits. #81 spent several weeks moving around Newport and
Cosby before traveling to the Greenbrier area of the Park between Cosby and
Gatlinburg. After a few days there he moved to Baxter’s Orchard along
rte. 321 for a few days feeding on apples left on the ground. He then traveled
back through Newport, through Del Rio, and up to Hot Springs, NC for 5 days
before moving southeast to the small community of Walnut, NC along the French
Broad River. With numerous land owners calling with concerns for the safety
of the elk as well as passing motorists, the decision was made to return #81
to the rest of the herd in Cataloochee on December 6, roughly 11 weeks after
he began wandering. He has been traveling with a small group of bulls since
his return.

Cow #78, a 2.5 year old in the Oconaluftee area was tagged and collared last
week. She travels with a small group of elk near Cherokee that includes her
mother, cow #5, as well as two younger generations from the same cow. There
is also another unmarked female in that group that will be tagged and collared
as soon as possible.

On December 3 a young, unmarked bull was hit by a motorist on Interstate 40
near mile marker 18. The elk suffered from two broken back legs and possible
internal injuries and the decision was made to euthanize the animal. It was
euthanized and taken to The University of Tennessee for necropsy and disease
testing, results are pending. The accident occurred near a group of elk in the
White Oak area just outside the Park boundary.

Another calf is confirmed to have been born this year and has survived near
the White Oak community. While the sex of the calf is currently unknown, efforts
will begin in January to capture and collar several elk in that area, including
the calf, as well as bull #26, whose collar was recently knocked off while fighting.
This confirmation takes the total number of known calves produced in 2006 to
13, with 11 of those still alive.

The best times of day to view the elk are early morning and late afternoon,
though they might remain out in the fields on colder days. If you come to Cataloochee
to see them, please remember that elk are wild animals with behavior that is
sometimes unpredictable. Remain on roadways when wildlife is present, and do
not approach them. Please drive cautiously as there are frequently icy road
conditions, even on clear days and when there is no snow.

Feature Topic: The Fall Rut
The shortening days and cooling temperatures of September and October signal
an important time of the year for the elk of Cataloochee: the fall rut. The
rut is the several-week breeding period when the cows cycle into estrus and
the bulls compete for dominance to mate with the cows.
A bull’s behavior will change significantly during the rut. They will
have swollen necks, much like white-tail deer and will be seen rubbing their
antlers against trees and the ground. They will scrape a bare spot on the ground
with their hooves and antlers and urinate in it before wallowing there. This
spreads their scent evenly across their body, announcing their presence to females
and other bulls alike. A more noticeable announcement of their presence is bugling;
a call the bulls make that can be heard up to a mile away in some terrains.
This advertises his fitness to the cows, or challenges other bulls. If another
bull accepts the challenge, the two will lock antlers and fight until an order
of dominance is established. Typically, only the bigger, stronger bulls have
a chance to mate with the females ensuring that the strongest genes are passed
on to the offspring. When a cow cycles into estrus it lasts for less than 24
hours, so the herd bull must remain attentive, even while other bulls are challenging
him.

Throughout the rut this year the cows and calves were split into two separate
harems. Bull #16 traveled with one group while bull #3 traveled with the other.
Both defended their respective harems against the subordinate bulls and were
each seen breeding within their group. #16 is currently traveling with all of
the cows, but has allowed younger bulls to once again travel with the herd,
a signal that the rut is over. Bull #3 has since left the Valley and traveled
back to the Big Cove area near Cherokee.

Bull #81 has continued traveling and is currently near Baxter’s Orchard
along route 321 between Cosby and Greenbrier. Local land owners as well as the
orchard owners have not reported any damage being caused by him; the only exception
is that traffic tends to slow down when the elk is visible. We are working with
the land owners to help ensure #81 remains safe while in the area, at the same
time trying to keep him away from the roads for the safety of motorists and
himself.
An unmarked, untagged cow elk has been seen traveling with the elk in or near
the fields at the Oconaluftee visitor’s center. There has also been an
additional calf seen traveling with the group, increasing the total number of
confirmed calves born this year to twelve. Ten of those twelve are known to
still be alive and we will be working over the winter to put new collars on
them to monitor their survival. Five of those are female, four are male, and
one has not been seen regularly enough to confirm the sex.

Several bulls that had not been seen out in the fields for several months have
returned. #82, #41, #36 are now seen daily traveling with the group that has
been there all summer and fall. Bull #68 has left the valley and has been seen
traveling with several other elk in the White Oak community, east of Cataloochee.
Visitation has dramatically decreased with the closures of the campgrounds and
the elk of the Valley often remain out in the fields throughout the entire day
now that temperatures are cooler. These two factors combine to make a great
time for visiting Cataloochee to view the elk without the relative commotion
of the higher visitation seasons. For your safety and theirs, please remember
to remain on the roadway when any wildlife is present.

Joe Yarkovich
Elk Management, GSMNP
Joseph_Yarkovich@nps.gov

GSMNP Elk Progress Report #36
October 11, 2006

Feature Topic: Bull #3
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years old
History: Bull #3 was released into Cataloochee Valley in the winter of 2001.
He was captured and brought in from Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky.
Noteworthy Behavior: Bull #3 was released into Cataloochee in the winter of
2001. He has since moved out of the Valley towards Oconaluftee to the west.
Bull #3 spends most of the year solitaire only to return to Cataloochee Valley
every fall when the rut begins and bulls vie for dominance within the herd.
This behavior seems to be typical of the bigger, more dominant bulls. It is
thought that by spending the year alone, they are free to consume all of the
most nutrient-rich food sources rather than competing for them with other elk.
This allows them to grow larger and stronger than the bulls sharing a food source,
giving them an advantage when it comes to rutting. Bull #3 currently controls
a harem of approximately 7 cows and 4 calves.

As autumn rapidly progresses, and the days are getting shorter, the elk of Cataloochee
are showing more and more signs of reproductive behavior. Bull #3 and Bull #16
each currently have a small harem of cows traveling with them in separate fields.
The two were seen fighting recently but it was very brief and did not seem to
identify a clear order of dominance. These two bulls are the most common to
be seen and heard bugling, but are certainly not the only ones. As the days
pass, more of the subordinate bulls are heard bugling around the fields and
are seen sparring with each other quite frequently. While there has not been
any confirmed reproduction yet, the cows are expected to cycle into estrus within
a week or two and breeding should begin shortly.

Bull #81, 2-years old, left Cataloochee Valley in June and moved to the Waterville/Big
Creek area. He returned to the Valley briefly in early September when the other
bulls were beginning to spar and vie for dominance. After just one week #81
left the valley again passing through the Big Creek area and continuing all
the way north of the Newport, TN city limits. He has now been located just to
the west, south, and east of Newport city limits. Since those reporting the
elk on their property have been receptive of his presence and he has not caused
any damage, #81 is not being considered a nuisance and will not be returned
to the valley at this time. He is being monitored regularly for location and
survival.

Cow#47 has spent the last several weeks in an area near Rte. 74 in the town
of Ela, NC. She moved there from the Oconaluftee area in the middle of August.
On October 9, she moved back up to the Oconaluftee area and is currently traveling
with the small group of elk that feed in the Big Cove Rd. fields. Her movement
back to this group of elk coincides with the time she is expected to come into
estrus and breed.

With the leaves beginning to change colors this is an excellent time to visit
Cataloochee to view the elk, and it seems that more people are making the trip
daily. If you make the trip into the Valley, please remember to pull your vehicle
off of the road when viewing wildlife, as it is becoming increasingly busy and
traffic can congest quickly on the narrow road. Also, please remember that the
elk are at an especially agitated state right now with the pressures of reproduction
upon them, and they can become aggressive suddenly. Remain in/near your vehicle
at all times in the presence of elk and do not approach them!

Joe Yarkovich
Elk Research Coordinator
National Park Service
Joseph_Yarkovich@nps.gov

GSMNP Elk Progress Report #35
August 28, 2006

Feature Topic---Cow #11
Sex: Female
Age: 8 years old
History: Cow #11 was relocated to Cataloochee valley in the winter of 2001 from
Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky.
Noteworthy Behavior: Cow #11 has given birth to 4 calves since she was moved
to Cataloochee in 2001, and has been a very protective cow when it comes to
defending her calf. While most cows will leave their newborns hiding in the
tall grass of the fields and travel into the woods during the heat of the day,
#11 remains right beside her calf throughout even the hottest hours of the summer
afternoons. In 2005 she was seen charging and fighting a bear that was attempting
to kill her calf. The bear was eventually forced to retreat, but the calf died
shortly thereafter from injuries sustained. In 2006, #11 was the last of the
cows in Cataloochee to calve. On the 4th of July she gave birth to a young female
calf weighing about 30 lbs. that now travels around the valley with the rest
of the herd and can be seen most mornings and evenings.

Since last update, a few elk have returned to Cataloochee Valley. On August
4th, Cow #6 was seen in the fields for the first time since calving began. A
young calf was seen following her back into the woods and is believed to be
hers. This makes the total known calf count for 2006 to be 11, 9 of which are
believed to still be alive. Several calves from this year are seen regularly
traveling with the herd and appear to be growing quite rapidly.

The bulls of the Valley are in the early stage of the rut. They have shed
their velvet and have begun sparring with each other. On August 23, Bull #3
returned to Cataloochee from Oconoluftee near Cherokee. #3 was the dominant
herd bull in 2003 and 2004, but was defeated in 2005 by Bull #16. Since then,
#3 has been bugling, wallowing, and “herding” the cows around the
fields. On August 25, Bull #16, the dominant bull in 2005, also returned to
the Valley from an area just outside the park boundary between Cataloochee and
the Big Creek area. These two bulls have been seen and heard bugling, but have
not been seen sparring.

With the weather beginning to cool and the bulls now coming into the rut,
it is a great time to visit Cataloochee Valley to view the elk and hear them
bugle. It is also especially important to remember to keep your distance and
to stay in or near your vehicle. Also, encourage others not to approach elk
– they can be dangerous. There are a lot of changes currently taking place
within the herd and animal behavior can be even more unpredictable than usual.
Thank you and enjoy your visit!

Joe Yarkovich
Elk Research Coordinator
National Park Service

GSMNP Elk Progress Report #34
August 4, 2006

Feature Topic—New GRSM Elk Research
Coordinator

· Name: Joe Yarkovich
· Hometown: Herminie, Pennsylvania
· Education: B.S. in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College, 2003
· Previous Work Experience:
o Field Crew Leader for black bear restoration project at various Wildlife Management
Units throughout LA with Louisiana State University
o Predator Research and Management on San Clemente Island, CA with the Institute
for Wildlife Studies
o Biological Science Technician focused on black bear management in Sequoia
and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA with the National Park Service.
o Feral animal removal on Santa Catalina Island, CA with the Institute for Wildlife
Studies
o Forestry Technician focused on exotic vegetative species within the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park, TN/NC with the National Park Service
o Multiple positions within Wildlife Management of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, TN/NC with the National Park Service

Since the last update, a few changes have occurred in and around the Cataloochee
Valley. In May, Joe Yarkovich was hired replacing Steven Dobey. Steven was hired
by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to serve as the agency’s
wildlife program coordinator. With the fall rut just around the corner, activities
on the elk program are beginning to settle somewhat and hopefully the progress
reports will be coming on a more regular basis. One new addition to the progress
reports will be a feature on one of the elk, personnel working on the project,
or any related event.

In 2006, the biggest news to report is the apparent success of the calving
season. To date we have been able to visually confirm the birth of ten calves.
Of those born, eight have survived and appear to be doing quite well! Although
not confirmed there are probably more elk calves in and around the Cataloochee
area. Calf reproduction this year is significantly better than in 2005 when
only three of the nine calves born survived. All known losses but one were due
to predation. The two known calf mortalities in 2006 resulted from black bear
predation. In an effort to evaluate the impact of bears on elk calves some bears
were relocated from Cataloochee Valley to other areas in the Park. History of
Park bear management has shown that most bears relocated in the Park return
to the capture site. But, by the time these animals return the young calves
should be old enough to travel safely with their mothers. While it is disheartening
to lose any of the newborn calves, some mortality is expected, and considering
the amount of predation documented since elk were released, 2006 appears to
be the most promising thus far. Also, at least four of the known surviving calves
are female adding to the optimism this year. Visitors to the Valley can expect
to see several young calves running, playing, and nursing from their mothers
in the Cataloochee fields almost every morning or evening.

The bulls of Cataloochee are still traveling together and with their antlers
in full velvet they make quite a sight to see! There are several impressive
racks in the group including a couple that are 6x6 and 7x7. Bull #17 looks to
have the largest rack with eight points on each side. Bull #4 may have the most
unique antlers (3x4), since both have a fairly large palmated formation at the
top. Last year Bull #16 was the dominant bull of the Valley, but he has yet
to return. It will be interesting to see if he can defend his title.

Unfortunately in 2006 we have documented the loss of one and possibly two
adult elk. In March, Bull #25 was found dead near Heintooga Road. In May, Bull
#1’s collar was found on a ridge surrounding Cataloochee Valley. The last
sighting of him reports him in poor health and although no remains were found
near the collar, it is likely that he died.

The elk of the valley may appear to be quite docile and friendly, but please
remember that if they feel like you are threatening them or their calf, they
will defend it without warning. Please stay in or near your vehicle and never
approach any of the wildlife in Cataloochee. With the current heat wave keeping
the elk back in the woods longer everyday, the best chances to see the elk are
right around daybreak and after 6 pm when the heat of the day starts to subside.
Thank you and enjoy your visit!

Joe Yarkovich
Elk Research Coordinator
National Park Service
Joseph_Yarkovich@nps.gov

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 30 – 10/05/2005

With leaves changing in Cataloochee Valley, the summer field season has
concluded for 2005. To date, we have confirmed the births of 10 calves
(3M:5F:2?) from this year and possibly an additional 2–4 calves belonging
to
cows in more remote areas. Although predation by black bears has resulted in
only 2–3 of the 10 confirmed births surviving, these calves are female.
While
those numbers are disconcerting at first, this calving season has produced
more females than each year before. This is very promising considering that
approximately 75% of all calves born from 2001–2004 were male.

Since January, we have documented 3 non-calf mortalities; these include a
1.5-year-old bull (#65) from Oconaluftee, a 4-year-old bull (#59) from the
White Oak area outside the Park, and a 9-year-old cow (#28) from Cataloochee
Valley. All of those deaths appear to have been from natural causes. Again,
these numbers are considerably better than 2004 when the project lost a total
of 9 elk (3 subadults and 6 adults).

If anyone has yet to make a trip to Cataloochee Valley this year, the next
2
weeks will be the time to go. The rut is now in full swing, and elk are
exhibiting some of the most visible and intense behavior of any season. Bulls
can be heard bugling and seen fighting with one another on almost a daily
basis. In addition, more dominant bulls can be seen herding cows into harems
and defending them from any challengers. While elk are active in the
mornings, bulls and cows have been more visible in the evenings. Arriving any
time after 5 pm should guarantee a great opportunity to view rutting behavior,
which should continue into mid-October. However, we do caution and insist
that all visitors remain near their vehicles and DO NOT enter fields when elk
are present. Bulls can be very aggressive and somewhat unpredictable during
the breeding season. As such, visitor cooperation in this manner will ensure
an enjoyable trip while minimizing unnecessary risk to people and elk.

Since the last update in February, the 2005 field season has proven to be
quite busy. On a very positive note, there have been no adult elk mortalities
this year to date. The lone death that was documented was a 1.5-year-old bull
(#65) that resided in fields behind Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Bull #65 had
been in poor condition for several months and finally succumbed to meningeal
worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in late February. This is a marked contrast
from 2004 when 6 mortalities of adult elk were documented by the end of April.

Field work this summer has been split into two crews, one documenting calf
production and the other sampling vegetation exclosures throughout GSMNP.
There are 60 pairs of exclosures to be sampled and this will last into early
fall. These exclosures were last sampled in 2002, and these comparisons of
species composition will provide invaluable data as to the effects, if any,
that elk are having on vegetation in the Park.

While only halfway through the summer of 2005, we have encountered many highs
and lows this calving season. As of this update, we have documented the
births of 9 calves (3M:4F:2?) since the first weekend in June. Those calves
were born in Cataloochee Valley (n = 6), on the Blue Ridge Parkway (n = 2),
and Oconaluftee (n = 1). Unfortunately, 5 of those died within 4 days of
birth, including all calves born in the fields of Cataloochee Valley. The
lone calf born away from the fields is still alive with its mother in the
general vicinity of the Cataloochee maintenance area. All mortalities, except
one, were the result of predation by black bears. Throughout July we will
continue searching for calves belonging to elk inhabiting more remote areas
in
and around GSMNP.

On a more positive note, bull elk in Cataloochee Valley are exhibiting the
most impressive antler growth to date. We’ve already seen several 6x 6
elk
and this week I observed a 6 x 7. Also, after weeks of hard work the lone cow
elk (#42) residing south of Cullowhee, NC was finally captured in late March
and returned to Cataloochee after a 3-year absence.

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 28 – 2/23/2005

There have been 2 mortalities since the last progress report. A subadult
female (#70) died in Cherokee (10/04) likely from meningeal worm
(Parelaphostrongylus tenuis). The second mortality also occurred in 10/04 and
was an adult female (#45) in the White Oak area outside of GSMNP. The death
of #45 was the result of poaching and the investigation is still pending.

The lone bull (#56), that inhabited Cosby, TN for over 2 years, returned to
an
area just outside of Cataloochee Valley this past November. He is now with a
group of approximately 7 elk. The dominant bull (#3) from Cataloochee Valley
continues to move between Cataloochee and Cherokee; he has made this trek 4
times since August 2004.

We have been attempting to recollar several animals. Since January 2005, we
have retrieved 3 of the 9 GPS collars that have to be removed. Additionally,
we will soon begin attempts to equip the 2004 calves with adult radio
transmitters. We are also trying to capture the lone female outside of Sylva.
If caught, she will be returned to the herd in Cataloochee.

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 27 - 9/1/2004

We have documented the births of 8 calves from the 2004 calving season;
several adult females were not pregnant. There are currently 2 calves in
Cataloochee valley (1 male, 1 female, and 1 deceased male), 3 calves in the
White Oak area, 1 calf on the Blue Ridge parkway, and 1 calf in Cherokee.
There is a possibility that there are a few calves we have not located, but we
should be able to document all live calves by this winter.

A yearling bull, #65, was injured in Cherokee from unknown causes. We are
monitoring his condition.

A male elk, #30, was euthanized from a farmer?s property outside of
Cataloochee valley (7/20/2004). This elk had been relocated from farms
outside of the park on several previous occasions in 2002 and 2003.
Interestingly, the mother of this bull was euthanized from the same farm in
2002.

It seems the rut (breeding season) has begun earlier this year (8/30/2004). A
dominant bull, #3, has begun to corral females and bugle. He is being very
aggressive. Please remember to stay on the road and out of the fields.

I am headed back to Knoxville to take classes. Steven Dobey, my better half,
has been hired by the National Park Service to replace Brandon Wear. He will
be keeping you updated for the next 8 months.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 26 – 7/13/2004

Midway through the summer, this years calving season has proved to be somewhat
frustrating. While we have documented the births of 4 calves, several adult
females who we suspected to have been pregnant are showing no obvious physical
or behavioral signs.

We located and collared 2 male calves in Cataloochee Valley during the second
week in June. One calf lost its collar after 4 days and is suspect dead. The
second calf is alive and doing well. The 2 additional calves, which have been
visually documented, are in Cherokee and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are
continuing to monitor 6 females in extremely remote areas by stalking in on
those animals and visually assessing pregnancy/calves. We are also closely
monitoring 4 adult cows in Cataloochee Valley whose reproductive status is
uncertain.

On a more positive note, there have been no additional mortalities since the 6
deaths that occurred in the spring.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 25 – 5/15/2004

Many things have happened since our last update, including the deaths of 3
male (#43, 50, 62) and 3 female (#35, 53, 63) elk. Final necropsy reports
have been issued on elk 43 and 62, and both of those deaths are suspected to
be the result of meningeal worm. Causes of death for elk 50, 63, and 35 were
undeterminable due to predation and advanced decomposition.

Since mid-February we have spent extensive time darting adult elk that were in
need of radio-collar replacement. During that time we successfully
radio-collared all yearlings born from 2003 that had yet been collared; those
elk were #65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 74, and 75. We also are very excited to have
deployed 9 refurbished GPS radiocollars on elk that were previously fitted
with standard collars; those adults included 4 males (#3, 17, 25, 41) and 5
females (#5, 6, 15, 38, 49). We also replaced the radiocollars of 2 adults in
Cataloochee Valley over the winter.

We are gearing up for our biggest calving season yet. We expect 20-25 calves
to be born this summer. Finding calves is by far the hardest part of this
project. Wish us luck!

Finally, Brandon has accepted a great new position with Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency in West Tennessee. We will miss him and all his hard work!
Best of luck, Brandon!

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 24 – 1/15/2004

Most elk movements have been confined in or near the Park;
these areas include Balsam Mountain, Oconaluftee, Cherokee Indian Reservation,
and White Oak. Our work efforts this winter remain focused on relocating specific
elk,
radiocollaring yearlings, and recollaring 9 adults with refurbished GPS collars.
Most of this work will be done later in January and February.

Elk #23 was killed on a farm inside the buffer zone on December 10th, 2003.
The elk was shot because of landowner conflicts. Number 23 showed no obvious
signs of disease. National Park Service employees transported the elk for
necropsy on December 11th; results are pending.

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Many elk have confined their
movements in or near the Park as winter approaches; these areas include Balsam
Mountain, Oconaluftee, Cherokee Indian Reservation, and White Oak. In addition,
several elk have returned to Cataloochee Valley from the
Cherokee/Balsam Mountain area.

Of the 15-18 females we suspected were pregnant this summer, we were able
to confirm 10 calves, and suspect 2 additional calves. One of the 10 confirmed
calves was lost to predators (coyotes or dogs) earlier this summer.

Our winter work efforts will concentrate on relocating a few elk, collaring
large calves, and recollaring 9 adults with refurbished GPS collars.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 22 – 9/18/2003

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Many elk have confined their
movements in or near the Park as fall approaches; these areas include Balsam
Mountain, Oconaluftee, Cherokee Indian Reservation, and White Oak. In
addition, several elk have returned to Cataloochee Valley from the
Cherokee/Balsam Mountain area.

Of the 15-18 females we suspected were pregnant this summer, we were able to
confirm 9 calves, and suspect 4 or more additional calves. One of the 9
confirmed calves was lost to predators (coyotes or dogs) earlier this summer.

On August 8, elk #9 was struck and killed by a truck near the Oconaluftee
visitor center. Elk #9 was a 10-year-old female with a large calf. A second
adult mortality, elk #55 was confirmed on September 1. A fisherman had
reported seeing a very emaciated elk along Raven Fork the previous week. Elk
#55 was a 2.5 year-old bull. Both elk were taken to the University of
Tennessee Veterinary School for necropsy.

We immobilized elk #28, in Cataloochee, because of concerns over her physical
appearance. The on-call veterinarian prescribed antibiotics and parasiticide.

The first documented rutting behavior was recorded on 4 September 2003.
Bugling is occurring on a daily basis. Now is a time for visitors to be
particularly respectful of the elk and give them plenty of space. Cataloochee
is very crowded during September and October.

Our winter work efforts will concentrate on relocating a few elk and collaring
large calves.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 21 – 7/2/2003

A calving update:
We expect there are approximately 15 females pregnant/calving this summer. At
this time we have documented 4 calves, 1 of which was successfully
radiocollared. We suspect 4 other females have calved based on behavior and
locations, but have been unable to confirm offspring. There are several
females that have not yet given birth or have yet to be assessed.

We immobilized elk #62, in Oconaluftee, because of concerns over his physical
appearance. There were several external injuries, including a broken antler
still in velvet. The cause of these injuries is unknown but may indicate
vehicle collision or some other blunt trauma. The on-call veterinarian
prescribed antibiotics and release.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 20 – 6/24/2003

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Many elk have increased their
movements in certain areas during the summer; these areas include Balsam
Mountain, Cataloochee Divide, Cherokee Indian Reservation, White Oak and
Suttontown.

We expect there are approximately 15-18 females pregnant/calving this summer.
At this time we have documented one calf and have reported sightings of one
additional calf. We suspect 3 other females have calved based on behavior and
locations, but have been unable to confirm offspring. There are many females
still in Cataloochee Valley that have not yet given birth.

We confirmed a mortality on 22 June 2003. The elk was taken to University of
Tennessee Veterinary School on 23 June for necropsy. Elk number 8 was a
10-year-old female suspected of being pregnant. She was a "loner" cow and
cause of death is unknown.

Vegetation exclosures are being repaired over the summer to ensure stability.
In addition to the existing 51 plots, 9 plots will be built and sampled this
summer.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey
UTK PhD Candidate: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 19 – 3/29/2003

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Most elk have been minimizing
their movements and staying in areas surrounding the Valley; these areas
include Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee Divide, Cherokee Indian Reservation,
White Oak and Suttontown.

Elk 22, 30, and 40 were held in the acclimation pen for a period of 4 weeks.
They have all since been released back in to the Park, and are staying near
their respective release sites. It also appears that these elk are
interacting with other elk within GSMNP.

We also were able to replace all of the GPS collars that were activated in
2001. Each of the collars provided >2000 locations that will later be useful
in determining how the animals have utilized available habitat types. The GPS
collars were replaced with standard VHF radio collars. In addition, we have
successfully darted and collared 2 more calves of the year.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 18 – 1/24/2003

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Most elk have been minimizing
their movements and staying in areas surrounding the Valley; these areas
include Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee Divide, Cherokee Indian Reservation,
White Oak and Suttontown.

Several elk have been relocated from outside the park. Elk #30 was moved from
Maggie Valley, Elk #40 was moved from Jonathan Creek/Suttontown, and Elk #22
was moved from Green County, TN, outside of Parrotsville. Elk #22 traveled as
far as Bridgeport, TN in the summer, then back to Cataloochee for the rut, and
finally back to Bridgeport and on to Green County, TN this winter. All three
elk were immobilized, loaded into a trailer and moved back to the acclimation
facility. They are being acclimated for a short period of time and will be
released back into the park.

In addition, we are in the process of changing radio-collars on many animals.
The time has come to replace several of the GPS collars and download the
locational data contained in these collars. Some of the expandable spacers on
the male collars also were in poor condition; we have replaced many of those
as well.

Sorry for the delay in getting this update distributed.

Jennifer Murrow Dobey

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 17 – 10/10/2002

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Several elk continue traveling to
and from areas surrounding the Valley, including Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee
Divide, Cherokee Indian Reservation, White Oak and Suttontown. Several of the
elk, which had ventured to these areas, have returned to the Valley.

Elk #22, the male that had traveled as far as Bridgeport, TN, has made his way
back to Cataloochee. The bull traveled approximately 40 km, and his return
coincided with the onset of this year’s breeding season. The “rut” began in
early September, and should continue until late October.

Number 1 still appears to be the dominant bull in the Valley, with a harem of
approximately 10 cows. The 9 other bulls residing in the Valley remain in
their “bachelor group”. Smaller groups appear to have formed in areas outside
the valley, such as the Suttontown community.

Calf # 60 remains in the Valley, and seems to be in very good health.
Sightings have confirmed 2 pregnant females released this year lost their
calves. Additionally, 2 females from last year’s release, which were thought
to be pregnant, did not give birth. There are 4 unconfirmed calves, but we
feel confident that 2 of those females do have calves based on behavior and
sightings

The project vegetation crew has completed the season’s field sampling.
Analyses will be preformed on the vegetation data to begin evaluating any
impacts elk are having on the plants in Cataloochee Valley.

Jennifer Lynn Murrow

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 16 - 8/1/2002

We are continuing to monitor all elk daily. Several elk have begun traveling
to and from areas surrounding the Valley, including Balsam Mountain, Little
Cataloochee, White Oak community, Cataloochee Divide, and Cherokee Indian
Reservation lands. The furthest distance moved from the release site is
approximately 40 kilometers.

Two pregnant females and 4 females who have potentially given birth are being
monitored to document calving and calf survival. We have collared two calves
this season, calf #60,born to #15 on 6/12/02 and calf #61, born to #24 on
6/25/02. Brandon sighted what we believe is the third calf, #62, born to #48
on 7/27/02.

Calf #61 died approximately 4 days after birth, and the collar indicated
mortality on 6/30/02. Although we cannot positively conclude the cause of
death, all evidence suggests a black bear. We would like to remind everyone,
this is not a “bad” thing. The population as a whole seems to be doing great.
This is the natural cycle of life and death. A healthy predator population
is needed to keep a balance on prey populations.

We have sampled 16 of 54 vegetation exclosures to date. Although these
sampling efforts are time consuming, analyses of our vegetation data will
yield valuable information regarding impacts of elk on GSMNP.

We are continuing to monitor the elk in and around the fields of Cataloochee
Valley daily. A few of the elk have begun traveling to and from areas
surrounding the Valley, including Balsam Mountain, Little Cataloochee, and
Cherokee Indian Reservation lands. These elk are being closely monitored as
well. Most, however, remain in or near the Valley.

Six pregnant females and 4 potentially pregnant females are being monitored to
document calving and calf survival. We have collared one calf this season,
#60,born to #15.

As you’ve all probably heard, there were 3 adult female mortalities following
this year’s release. One ten-year-old and 2 four-year-olds (both pregnant)
were found dead on 4/22 and 4/23. Resultant necropsies found no sign of
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). We suspect 2 mortalities were stress-induced;
1 elk had liver disease.

Vegetation sampling is now underway at exclosure sites within Cataloochee
Valley. Wylie Paxton, with the Park Service, is heading up the sampling
effort.

The Park Service has a new addition to the Wildlife Division; Mr. Brandon Wear
was hired this past May. He will be monitoring elk movements outside of the
park, working with landowners, doing public education, and helping with the
calving season. We are very excited to have him!

Jennifer Lynn Murrow

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 14 - 4/19/2002

The second group of elk was released from the enclosure on 4/16. The gates
were opened and the elk were free to roam. As of today, most elk are still
hanging very close to the enclosure. Those elk were collared on 3/22 and then
sprayed for ticks on 4/12. Winter ticks were initially found on 3/22, and
they are currently found in others parts of the southeast. Since the tick has
never been documented in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the National
Park Service wanted to ensure that no potentially exotic ticks were spread in
the park. The grounds within the enclosure will be burned sometime next week
as an added precaution.

I am continuing to monitor the movements of 1 elk on the Cherokee Indian
Reservation and 1 elk just outside the Park boundary. A few elk have started
to disperse further into the park. All remaining elk are being located daily
in and around the fields of Cataloochee Valley. Elk are shedding their
antlers, and we are starting to visually monitor for elk pregnancy.

Please remember that going into the fields to approach elk is prohibited, and
Big Fork Ridge trail will be closed for another week or two.

ABC World News Tonight was supposed to air a clip on this project on 4/17, but
it has been delayed until next week.

Jennifer Lynn Murrow

GSMNP Elk Progress Report 13 - 3/6/2002

I am continuing to monitor the movements of 1 elk on the Cherokee Indian
Reservation and 1 elk just outside the Park boundary. All remaining elk are
being located daily in and around the fields of Cataloochee Valley.

The new batch of elk remains in the enclosure and they are being fed daily.
The behavior of the second group of elk is much different than last year; they
are much more skittish and jumpy. Those elk will be collared at the end of
March and released during the first week of April. Pregnancy test results
indicate that 7 of the 9 adult females in the second group are pregnant.

Please remember that going into the fields to approach elk is prohibited, and
Big Fork Ridge trail will be closed until April when the second group of elk
is released.

I am sorry for the delay in getting this report out. Twenty-seven new elk (19
females and 8 males) from Elk Island National Park arrived in GSMNP this past
Friday evening and were released without injury into the acclimation pen on
Saturday morning (1/26/02). There was not a big event this year, and these
elk will be released towards the end of March or early April.

A male calf (#30) was captured just outside of the park boundary and
transported to the acclimation facility. He will be released with the other
27 new elk from EINP.

One elk entered the no-elk zone on a dairy farm in the Jonathan Creek
community outside of Waynesville. We monitored her movements closely and made
many attempts to immobilize and move her back into GSMNP. Local landowners
became increasingly concerned over potential health risks to their cattle,
however, so the decision was made to euthanize her. The animal will be
necropsied to address any disease concerns the farmers may have.

We are continuing to monitor the movements of 1 elk on the Cherokee Indian
Reservation and 1 elk just outside the Park boundary. All remaining elk are
being located daily in and around the fields of Cataloochee Valley.

Please remember that going into the fields to approach elk is prohibited, and
Big Fork Ridge trail (to the acclimation pen) will be closed until the second group of elk are
released.

Female #12 was euthanized on 23 September 2001. The necropsy results were
inconclusive, but signs strongly indicated she suffered from a neurological
parasite. These results are indicative of Meningial worm (Parelaphostrongylus
tenuis). We cannot say for certain at this time.

One female remains in the Cherokee area. We are continuing to monitor the
movements of the 1 elk on the Cherokee Indian Reservation and 2 elk just
outside the Park boundary. All remaining elk are being located daily in and
around the fields of Cataloochee Valley.

The calf of the relocated female was darted on 21 November 2001. The calf was
radio-collared, given eartags (#29), and released into the herd on 23 November
2001. He weighed 230 lbs. and appeared to be in excellent condition. The calf
remained with the herd for 2 days and then started making exploratory
movements. We are monitoring his movements carefully.

Please remember that going into the fields to approach elk is prohibited.

The project has documented its second mortality. Female #12 was euthanized on
23 September 2001. She was showing neurological and physical signs consistent
with meningial worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis). The final necropsy results
are not in yet. Upon initial examination, the female was in excellent
physical condition, and all organs looked healthy and normal. Researchers and
GSMNP officials expect to have mortalities due to this worm. Meningial worm
is usually carried passively in white-tailed deer. This demonstrates another
expected form of natural mortality.

Two females have joined the 2 males in Cherokee. We are continuing to monitor
the movements of 4 elk on the Cherokee Indian Reservation and 1 elk just
outside the Park boundary. The bull elk that was in and around the White oak
landfill has returned to Cataloochee. All remaining elk are being located
daily in and around the fields of Cataloochee Valley.

A female elk whose activities had been concentrated on a farmer’s property
outside of the Park was darted and moved at the landowner’s request. The calf
of the relocated female remains on the landowner’s property and, as of 29
September 2001, is still alive and healthy.

The first documented mating was recorded on 25 September 2001. Bugling is
occurring on a daily basis. Now is a time for visitors to be particularly
respectful of the elk and give them plenty of space.

The project has documented its first mortality. Calf #31 was found on the 9th
of this month. She was killed on the night of the 8th. Necropsy results
indicate it was most likely a coyote kill. Unfortunately, at this point there
is no way to be certain of the cause of death. Necropsy results also showed
that the calf was not in good physical shape; her fat reserves were very low.
Additionally, the fields were recently mowed in Cataloochee and that may have
played a role in the calf being more easily preyed upon. Regardless, this
demonstrates a natural cycle of predator-prey relationships that influence
most prey species by helping to prevent overpopulation.

We are continuing to monitor the movements of 2 elk on the Cherokee Indian
Reservation and 3 elk just outside the Park boundary. All remaining elk are
being located daily in and around the fields in the Cataloochee Valley.

We have and may continue to make an attempt to move a female and her calf back
into the Park. Although she has caused minimal damage on private property,
public sentiment surrounding her continues to be positive.

GSMNP Elk Progress Report VIII - 8/1/2001

The calving season is over. We located 4 calves, but only 2 have collars at
this time. A third calf was also collared, but he got his head caught under
an old fallen tree and pulled the collar off. Any other births have not been
confirmed. The calves are doing well. We have learned a lot about elk calves
and will be better prepared for next season.

We are continuing to monitor the movements of 2 elk on the Cherokee Indian
Reservation and 3 elk just outside the Park boundary. All other elk are in
and around the fields in the Cataloochee Valley.

Eric Fabio is working on exclosures and plant sampling schemes.

There has been an increase in bear activity in the fields in Cataloochee. We
are monitoring elk everyday.

Jennifer Lynn Murrow
UTK Graduate Student: Elk/Black Bear Research

GSMNP Elk Progress Report VII 7/10/2001

Today, Carrie, my technician, and I collared a third calf near the edge of the fields in Cataloochee. The calf, #31, is female and was born Monday (7/9) night. She weighed 30 lbs and is doing fine. Her mother was very protective.

The other 2 calves are still doing well. We are monitoring the movements of 2 elk on the Cherokee Indian Reservation and 3 elk just outside the park boundary. All other elk are in and around the fields in the Cataloochee valley.

Harassment of wildlife continues to be a problem as more visitors come to view the elk. Signs have been put up around the edges of the fields warning visitors not to approach the animals.

Jennifer Lynn Murrow

June 25, 2001 - IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Information:
Nancy Gray 865/436-1208
Bob Miller 865/436-1207

FIRST ELK TO BE BORN IN THE SMOKIES

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials reported exciting news with the birth of a 40-pound male elk calf, the first to be born in the Smokies in over 150 years and the first to be delivered by the eight pregnant cow elk in the herd. The calf was evidently born on Friday, June 22, but was not located until Sunday evening hidden in a blackberry thicket close to the meadows in Cataloochee Valley.

The University of Tennessee graduate student who is conducting on-site monitoring of the experimental elk release project began searching for the newborn after being alerted on Friday by ejection of transmitter implant from the female cow. All the pregnant female elk were implanted with transmitters in the birth canal to help biologists know when the calves were born. Biologists believed earlier that 9 of the 12 females in the herd were pregnant, but learned later that there are only 8 pregnant cows.

Saturday morning the researchers, using telemetry devices, located the implant transmitter and the apparent site of the delivery, but it took another day and a half of searching to locate the calf. The calf was found about 1/3 of a mile from the site of the delivery. According to Park Wildlife Biologist Kim Delozier cow elk typically move their newborn calves some distance from the site of delivery as a survival mechanism.
"Elk calves are most vulnerable to predators in the first few days after birth and the mothers will distance them from the birthing site which could attract predators."

Biologists placed an expandable radio collar on the new calf to help them learn about the survival rate in the wild, an important part of the 5-year experimental project. The animals in the Smokies experiment all came from a wild herd at Land between the Lakes in Kentucky where they have not been exposed to bears or other potential predators.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Michael J. Tollefson said, "We are pleased with this announcement and the success of the elk experiment to date. We ask that the public be good stewards and not to approach the elk, particularly female elk with calves which are known to charge people in defense of their offspring and will probably rejoin the herd in a couple of weeks."

-NPS-

Media Advisory: Still photographs of the newborn will be available this afternoon by contacting the Public Affairs Office. Opportunities to see newborn calves in Cataloochee are expected to be virtually non-existent until they emerge with their mothers into the meadows of Cataloochee Valley.

4/25/2001 GSMNP ELK Progress Report VI

All elk are doing well. Since the last report we have observed some major changes in social groups. Specifically, the 2 main herds have now merged, and 19-24 elk are together at any given time. The only exception is Elk #5, who continues to maintain a solitary existence. She has been a loner ever since we brought her to the holding facility. I walked in on her on 4/23/01 and she appears to be doing fine. There was fresh sign and tracks were she had been foraging and bedding.

Last week Elk #17 dropped his collar. On 4/24/01, we successfully darted him and he went down with relative ease. His radio-collar was put back on and he was reversed without incident. This was the first time we have had to dart an elk in the wild in Cataloochee and the experience went wonderfully. There has been 1 reported account of elk moving up on Cataloochee divide and 1 reported account of elk just outside of the Park. I have been tracking elk almost everyday, and have never located elk outside or near the boundary of the Park. As of 4/25/01, all elk were within 2 miles of the holding facility in the meadows of Cataloochee.